Chenrezig

The mantra of Chenrezig is probably the most popular Buddhist mantra in the world.

We are talking about the mantra OM MANI PADME HUNG. And it is the mantra of the Great Bodhisattva of Compassion, Chenrezig. It is his Tibetan name. But many may be familiar with him under his Sanskrit name Avalokiteshvara.  As practitioners of Tibetan Buddhism we probably know that Chenrezig is not a real person, but a part or an aspect of our enlightened Buddha Mind. But as limited people we can imagine more easily him in a bright white and perfect body with all signs of Bodhisattva of Compassion, with 4 arms, with two palms joined in a praying gesture, in third hand holding a lotus flower near his ear, symbolizing the purity of his mind, in his right hand holding mala (prayer beans) and the six syllables of om mani padme hung joyfully dancing in his heart. He is sitting on a large Lotus flower, joyfully smiling and with a great compassion looking to the sentient beings and listening when someone will recite his mantra and ask for his help. Chenrezig is always ready to come and help. In the Huayen Sutra it is said he can manifest himself in countless forms to come and provide the best solution to those in need.  He can take the form of White Zambala, the god of wealth or the Tara, the goddess of good fortune who was born from the teardrop of Chenrezig. He is known in China as Guan Yin, the white princess of love and compassion and as Loving Eyes in the west.
The name Chenrezig consists of Tibetan syllables jän (eye), rä (continuity) and sig (to look). It means someone who is always looking upon all beings with the eye of compassion.